JP2003257589A - Ion generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating device capable of sharply changing the quantity of ozone generated, while restraining the quantity of the generated ions. <P>SOLUTION: An output voltage wave form switching means, switching a pulse current output and DC output of a high voltage generating device, switches to DC output wave form restraining the quantity of the ozone generated to the utmost when intended to heighten a relaxation effect of ions, and switches to the pulse output increasing the quantity of ozone generated when intended to heighten a deodorizing/sterilizing effect respectively, by the above, it is made possible to sharply change the quantity of ozone generated, while restraining the quantity of the generated ions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ion generator that generates ions by corona discharge at high voltage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When ions are generated by corona discharge, ozone is also generated at the same time as the ions, but ozone has excellent sterilization and deodorizing effects, but on the other hand, if too much is generated, it will be harmful to humans, so it will generate ions. In addition to controlling quantity
Often more control over the amount of ozone generated is needed.

Generally, the ozone generation amount is controlled by intermittent operation when the ozone generation amount is excessive and by increasing the voltage applied to the discharge electrode in advance when the ozone generation amount is insufficient. ing.

[0004]

However, in a general ion generator, when the ozone generation amount is excessive,
If an attempt is made to reduce the ozone generation amount by the intermittent operation, it is difficult to independently reduce the ozone amount significantly, because there is a substantially proportional relationship between the ion generation amount and the ozone generation amount.

On the contrary, when the amount of ozone generated is insufficient, when the applied voltage to the discharge electrode is set to a high value in advance to increase the amount of ozone generated, the amount of ions generated and the amount of ozone generated are almost proportional. Due to the close relationship, it is difficult to increase ozone alone significantly.

That is, it is difficult to greatly increase or decrease the ozone generation amount while suppressing the increase or decrease of the ion generation amount as much as possible by setting the intermittent operation or the voltage applied to the needle tip to a high level.

As described above, there is no method for controlling the increase / decrease in the ozone generation amount in a wider range as compared with the increase / decrease in the ion generation amount. Therefore, when the ozone generation amount is excessive or insufficient, it is generally controlled. In order to do so, it is necessary to control the amount of ions generated by reducing or increasing them in conjunction with each other.

Therefore, even if various sensors such as a temperature / humidity sensor are used, it is difficult to optimally control the ozone generation amount in a wide range while suppressing the fluctuation of the ion generation amount in a predetermined space as much as possible.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, an ion generator according to claim 1 is connected to the high voltage generating means for generating a high voltage and the output of the high voltage generating means to generate ions. In the ion generator having a discharge electrode for operating the output voltage waveform switching means, which is disposed between the high voltage generating means and the discharge electrode and switches the output of the high voltage generating means between pulsating current output and DC output. , If you want to increase the relaxation effect by ions, the DC output waveform that suppresses the ozone generation amount as much as possible, and if you want to increase the deodorization and sterilization effect that uses ozone together, the pulsating flow output that increases the ozone generation amount. Can be switched.

At this time, there is almost no change in the amount of generated ions regardless of which output waveform is switched.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ion generator according to the first aspect, there are provided control means for operating the output voltage waveform switching means, and sensor means connected to the control means for detecting an environmental condition. The control means controls the output voltage waveform switching means in accordance with the output of the sensor means, thereby controlling the ion / ozone generation amount according to the ambient environment such as temperature, humidity, ion amount, ozone amount and odor. It will be possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ion generator according to the second aspect, the sensor means is a humidity detecting means for converting the humidity of the ion generator and its surroundings into an electric signal.
When the output of the humidity detecting means becomes larger than a predetermined value, the control means switches the output voltage waveform switching means to the pulsating flow output, so that bacteria and mold are easily generated, and the amount of ozone generated is reduced in a high humidity environment. When it becomes, it becomes possible to switch to a pulsating flow output waveform that produces a large amount of ozone and enhance the sterilization / antibacterial effect.

According to a fourth aspect, in the ion generator according to the second aspect, the control means has time measuring means for measuring time, and the control means adjusts the output voltage according to a predetermined time of the time measuring means. By switching the waveform switching means, it is possible to switch to a pulsating flow output waveform that produces a large amount of ozone at a predetermined time or for a predetermined time, and enhance the sterilization / antibacterial effect.

The ion generator according to claim 5 is an ion generator having high voltage generating means for generating a high voltage and a discharge electrode connected to the output of the high voltage generating means for generating ions. Since it has an output bias switching means which is arranged between the voltage generating means and the discharge electrode and which switches the bias voltage of the output of the high voltage generating means, when it is desired to enhance the relaxation effect by negative ions, the output biased negatively, When it is desired to enhance the deodorizing / sterilizing effect using both ozone and positive and negative ions, it is possible to switch the output waveform to the AC output with zero bias for generating both positive and negative ions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ion generator according to the fifth aspect, there is provided a control means for operating the output bias switching means, a sensor means connected to the control means for detecting an environmental condition, and the control. The means controls the output bias switching means according to the output of the sensor means to switch the kind of ions to be generated or the ozone generation amount according to the ambient environment such as temperature, humidity, ion amount, ozone amount and odor. Can be controlled.

According to a seventh aspect, in the ion generator according to the sixth aspect, the sensor means is a humidity detecting means for converting the humidity of the ion generator and its surroundings into an electric signal,
When the output of the humidity detecting means becomes larger than a predetermined value, the control means switches the bias to zero by the output bias switching means, so that positive and negative ions and ozone are added to a high humidity environment where bacteria and mold are likely to occur. It is possible to enhance the sterilization / antibacterial effect.

According to an eighth aspect, in the ion generator according to the sixth aspect, the control means has a time measuring means for measuring time, and the control means adjusts the output bias according to a predetermined time of the time measuring means. By switching the switching means, it is possible to switch to AC output with zero bias generated by both positive and negative ions and ozone at a predetermined time or for a predetermined time, and enhance the sterilization / antibacterial effect.

In order to make the contents of the present invention easier to understand, detailed description will be given below with reference to embodiments.

1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the ion generator of the present invention. This ion generator is a negative ion generator composed of a high voltage generator 1 and a discharge electrode 2, and a high negative voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 2 from the high voltage generator 1 via a high voltage output line 6. Then, negative ions are generated by corona discharge occurring at the tip of the electrode, and ozone is also generated at the same time.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment. High voltage generator 1
Is an input voltage applied between the + input lead wire 3 and the − input lead wire 4 from the DC power supply 7 by a piezoelectric transformer in the high voltage generation circuit 1a to boost the diode between the high voltage generation circuit 1a and the GND level 1d. 1c is a piezoelectric transformer high voltage generator for generating a negative DC high voltage at the discharge electrode 2 by connecting a diode 1b between the high voltage output line 6 and the high voltage generation circuit 1a.

The high voltage generator 1 has a function of turning on / off the output voltage waveform changeover switch 1e such as a high voltage relay by the output waveform control circuit 1f, whereby the output waveforms are changed to a pulsating flow output and a DC output, respectively. It is possible to switch to.

FIG. 3 shows an output waveform diagram of the high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment. Output voltage waveform switch 1
It is possible to switch between the pulsating flow output A and the DC output B by turning on / off e.

FIG. 4 shows a correlation graph of the amount of generated ions and the amount of generated ozone and the ambient temperature when the output waveform of the ion generator of the first embodiment is fixed. Ambient temperature is 0,1
The pulsating flow output and the DC output were respectively performed under four conditions of 0, 20, and 30 ° C. (relative humidity 50%).

As a result, there is no difference in the amount of ion generation in both waveforms, and there is a tendency to increase at 0 ° C and 30 ° C. This tendency is due to the trade-off between the two characteristics: the ion generation amount increases as the temperature rises, and conversely the output voltage decreases as the temperature rises due to the temperature characteristics of the piezoelectric transformer. The ozone generation rate increases as the temperature of both waveforms decreases, but the pulsating flow ozone generation rate is DC.
It is about 3 times the output.

Further, the output waveform control circuit 1f of the high voltage generator 1 of the first embodiment includes the temperature sensor 1 in the high voltage generator 1.
It is also possible to control the output voltage waveform changeover switch 1e by the output signal voltage proportional to the ambient temperature output from h or the signal voltage input via the external signal input line 5.

Further, the output waveform control circuit 1f has a time measuring circuit 1g, and based on the output from the time measuring circuit 1g, the output voltage waveform changeover switch 1e for a predetermined time.
Can be turned on / off.

Ion generation when the output voltage waveform of the high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment is controlled by the output signal voltage proportional to the ambient temperature output from the temperature sensor 1h in the high voltage generator 1. FIG. 5 shows a correlation graph of the amount and the amount of ozone generated and the ambient temperature. In the first embodiment, the output voltage waveform changeover switch 1e is turned on when the ambient temperature is lower than 15 ° C.
The output voltage waveform is controlled so that the DC waveform is turned on by FF and the pulsating current waveform is output when turned on at 15 ° C. or higher. Further, as a comparison, a correlation graph when the output voltage waveform of the high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment is fixed to the DC output waveform is also shown in FIG.

The ambient temperature is 0, 10, 20, 30 ° C.
It was carried out under 4 conditions of (relative humidity 50%). As a result,
The amount of generated ions of both is not affected by the presence or absence of temperature control, but the amount of generated ozone is 3 when the temperature becomes 15 ° C or higher when the temperature is controlled.
It has become possible to increase the number up to about twice.

Although the output waveform is switched at the ambient temperature of 15 ° C. in the first embodiment, the switching temperature can be changed by adjusting the output waveform control circuit 1f.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 1 used in the second embodiment. High voltage generator 1
Is a piezoelectric transformer in the high-voltage generating circuit 1 a that boosts an input voltage applied between the + input lead wire 3 and the − input lead wire 4 from the DC power source 7, and the discharge electrode 2 through the high-voltage output wire 6.
It is a piezoelectric transformer high voltage generator that generates positive and negative high voltage with zero bias.

Further, a diode 1c and an output bias changeover switch 1i are connected in series between the high voltage generation circuit 1a and the GND level 1d, and the high voltage generator 1 is connected to a high voltage relay or the like by an output waveform control circuit 1f. Since it has a function of turning on / off the output bias changeover switch 1i, it is possible to switch the output bias between the negative bias and the zero bias, respectively.

FIG. 7 shows an output waveform diagram of the high voltage generator 1 used in the second embodiment. Output bias selector switch 1
It is possible to switch between the negative bias output C and the zero bias output D by turning on / off i.

The output waveform control circuit 1f of the high voltage generator 1 according to the second embodiment is the humidity sensor 1 in the high voltage generator 1.
It is also possible to control the output bias changeover switch 1i by the output signal voltage proportional to the ambient humidity output from j or the signal voltage input via the external signal input line 5.

Further, the output waveform control circuit 1f has a time measuring circuit 1g, and based on the output from the time measuring circuit 1g, the output bias changeover switch 1i for a predetermined time.
Can be turned on / off.

Amount of ozone generated when the output bias of the high voltage generator 1 used in the second embodiment is controlled by the output signal voltage proportional to the ambient humidity output from the humidity sensor 1j in the high voltage generator 1. FIG. 8 shows a correlation graph between ambient temperature and ambient humidity. In the second embodiment, when the ambient humidity is less than 60%, the output bias changeover switch 1i is turned on to control the negative bias output, and when the ambient humidity is 60% or more, the output bias changeover switch 1i is turned off to control the output bias so that the zero bias output is obtained. For comparison, a correlation graph when the output bias of the high voltage generator 1 used in the second embodiment is fixed to a negative bias is also shown in FIG.

The measurement was carried out under three conditions of ambient humidity of 30, 50, and 80% (temperature of 20 ° C.). As a result, the amount of ozone generated when the control was carried out was fixed at a negative bias at a humidity of 60% or more. It has become possible to increase this to about 1.8 times the time.

In the second embodiment, the output bias waveform is switched at the ambient humidity of 60%, but the switching humidity can be changed by adjusting the output waveform control circuit 1f.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a third embodiment for controlling the ion generator of the present invention. The ion generator used in the third embodiment is the ion generator of the first embodiment of the ion generator.

Time measuring circuit 1 in output waveform control circuit 1f
g is 0 in a cycle of 2 hours from the start of operation of the ion generator
The signal for 10 minutes for N and 110 minutes for OFF is output, and the output waveform control circuit 1f can control the output waveform changeover switch 1e in accordance with the signal. Therefore, by switching between the pulsating flow output and the DC output of the output waveform, a predetermined space can be obtained. Ion generation amount
It is possible to optimally control the ozone generation amount.

The output waveform control circuit 1f takes in a signal from the external control circuit 8 through the external signal input line 5 and controls the output waveform changeover switch 1e in accordance with the signal to pulse the output waveform. It is possible to optimally control the amount of generated ions and the amount of generated ozone in a predetermined space by switching between the flow output and the DC output.

The external control circuit 8 is a circuit for outputting electrical signals such as a human body detection sensor, various sensors such as an odor sensor, a switch or a microcomputer.

Time measuring circuit 1 in output waveform control circuit 1f
g, a signal of 10 minutes of ON and 110 minutes of OFF was output in a cycle of 2 hours from the start of operation of the ion generator, and the output waveform control circuit 1f turned ON / OFF the output waveform changeover switch 1e according to the signal.

Further, 60 minutes after the operation is started, an ON signal from the external control circuit 8 is taken into the output waveform control 1f through the external signal input line 5, the output waveform changeover switch 1e is turned on in accordance with the signal, and then The 10-minute time measuring circuit 1g outputs an ON signal, and the output waveform control circuit 1f turns ON the output waveform changeover switch 1e according to the signal and turns OFF the output waveform changeover switch 1e after 10 minutes.
Let

In the third embodiment, when the ambient temperature is lower than 25 ° C., the output voltage waveform changeover switch 1e is turned off to output a DC waveform, and when the ambient temperature is 25 ° C. or higher, a threshold value is output to output a pulsating flow waveform. Since it is set, a DC waveform is normally output at 20 ° C., which is the measurement environment this time.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing changes over time in the amount of negative ions generated and the amount of ozone generated in the ion generator of the third embodiment.
Normally, the output waveform changeover switch 1e is turned off and DC
Since the waveform is output, the ozone generation amount is about 0.02 mg
/ Hr, which is a low level. On the other hand, for 10 minutes immediately after the start of the operation and 10 minutes after the start of the operation for 10 minutes, the output waveform changeover switch 1e is turned on based on the electric signal from the time measuring circuit 1g to output the pulsating flow waveform. Therefore, the ozone generation amount is as large as about 0.07 mg / hr.

Also, the output waveform changeover switch 1e is turned on based on the ON signal from the external control circuit 8 for 10 minutes after 60 minutes from the start of the operation, and thereafter for 10 minutes, the ON signal from the time measuring circuit 1g is used. The output waveform changeover switch 1e continues to be turned on, and after 10 minutes, the output waveform changeover switch 1e
Is turned off, the amount of ozone generated during that period is about 0.0
It is as high as 7 mg / hr.

By controlling the switching of the output waveform based on the electric signal from the time measuring circuit 1g and the external control circuit 8 as described above, the switching of the ozone generation amount is carried out for the required time when necessary. I was able to.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ion having the high voltage generating means for generating a high voltage and the discharge electrode for generating the ion connected to the output of the high voltage generating means. The generator is provided between the high voltage generating means and the discharge electrode and has an output voltage waveform switching means for switching the output of the high voltage generating means between a pulsating current output and a DC output, thereby enhancing the relaxation effect by ions. If desired, the output waveform can be switched to the DC output waveform that minimizes the ozone generation amount, or to the pulsating flow output that increases the ozone generation amount if you want to enhance the deodorizing / sterilizing effect that uses ozone together. .

According to the invention of claim 2, in the ion generator according to claim 1, there are provided a control means for operating the output voltage waveform switching means, and a sensor means connected to the control means for detecting an environmental condition. Along with having the control means, by controlling the output voltage waveform switching means according to the output of the sensor means, the amount of ions and ozone generated according to the ambient environment such as temperature, humidity, ion amount, ozone amount and odor. It becomes possible to control.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the ion generator of claim 2, the sensor means is a humidity detecting means for converting the humidity of the ion generator and its surroundings into an electric signal, and the control means is When the output of the humidity detecting means becomes larger than a predetermined value, by switching the output voltage waveform switching means to the pulsating flow output, bacteria and mold are easily generated, and when the environment is high in humidity where ozone generation decreases. To
It becomes possible to enhance the sterilization and antibacterial effect by switching to the pulsating flow output waveform that produces a large amount of ozone.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ion generator according to the second aspect, the control means has a time measuring means for measuring time, and the control means sets a predetermined time of the time measuring means. In addition, by switching the output voltage waveform switching means, it is possible to switch to a pulsating flow output waveform in which a large amount of ozone is generated at a predetermined time or for a predetermined time, and to enhance the sterilization / antibacterial effect.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the ion generator having high voltage generating means for generating a high voltage and a discharge electrode connected to the output of the high voltage generating means for generating ions, the high voltage Since it has an output bias switching means which is arranged between the generating means and the discharge electrode and which switches the bias voltage of the output of the high voltage generating means, ozone is added to the negatively biased output when the relaxation effect by negative ions is desired to be enhanced. When it is desired to enhance the deodorizing / sterilizing effect using both positive and negative ions, the output waveform can be switched to the AC output with zero bias to generate both positive and negative ions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ion generator according to the fifth aspect, the control means for operating the output bias switching means and the sensor means connected to the control means for detecting an environmental condition are provided. The control unit controls the output bias switching unit according to the output of the sensor unit, thereby switching the type of ions to be generated or ozone depending on the ambient environment such as temperature, humidity, ion amount, ozone amount and odor. It is possible to control the amount generated.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the ion generator according to the sixth aspect, the sensor means is a humidity detecting means for converting the humidity of the ion generator and its surroundings into an electric signal, and the control means is the humidity. When the output of the detection means becomes larger than a predetermined value, the output bias switching means switches the bias to zero, thereby sterilizing the environment with both positive and negative ions and ozone in a humid environment where bacteria and mold are likely to occur.
It is possible to enhance the antibacterial effect.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the ion generator according to the sixth aspect, the control means has a time measuring means for measuring time, and the control means adjusts to a predetermined time of the time measuring means, By switching the output bias switching means, it is switched to an AC output with zero bias generated by both positive and negative ions and ozone at a predetermined time or for a predetermined time, and sterilization /
It is possible to enhance the antibacterial effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the ion generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of a high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an output waveform diagram of the high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a correlation graph of the amount of generated ions and the amount of generated ozone and the ambient temperature when the output waveform of the high voltage generator 1 used in the first embodiment is fixed.

FIG. 5 is a correlation graph of the ion generation amount and the ozone generation amount and the ambient temperature when the ion generator of the first embodiment is controlled by an output signal voltage proportional to the ambient temperature.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of a high voltage generator 1 used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an output waveform diagram of the high voltage generator 1 used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a correlation graph of the amount of ozone generated and the ambient humidity when the ion generator of the second embodiment is controlled by an output signal voltage proportional to the ambient humidity.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of a high voltage generator 1 used in the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing changes over time in the amount of negative ions generated and the amount of ozone generated in the ion generator of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... High voltage generator, 1a ... High voltage generator circuit, 1b, 1
c ... Diode 1d ... GND level, 1e ... Output waveform changeover switch 2 ... Discharge electrode, 3 ... + input lead wire, 4 ...- Input lead wire 5 ... External signal Input line, 6 ... High voltage output line, 7 ... DC power supply, 8 ... External control circuit A ... Pulsating output waveform, B ... DC output waveform, C ... Zero bias waveform D ... Negative bias waveform

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B03C 3/02 B03C 3/02 A 3/40 3/40 C 3/68 3/68 Z // F24F 1 / 00 F24F 7/00 B 7/00 1/00 371B

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ion generator having high voltage generating means for generating a high voltage and a discharge electrode connected to an output of the high voltage generating means for generating ions, wherein the high voltage generating means and the discharge electrode are connected to each other. An ion generator, characterized in that it has an output voltage waveform switching means which is arranged between them and which switches the output of the high voltage generating means between a pulsating flow output and a DC output. 2. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein
The control means has a control means for operating the output voltage waveform switching means and a sensor means connected to the control means for detecting an environmental condition. The control means controls the output voltage waveform switching means according to the output of the sensor means. An ion generator characterized by: 3. The ion generator according to claim 2, wherein
The sensor means is a humidity detecting means for converting the humidity of the ion generator and its surroundings into an electric signal, and the control means pulsates the output voltage waveform switching means when the output of the humidity detecting means exceeds a predetermined value. Ion generator characterized by switching to power. 4. The ion generator according to claim 2, wherein
The ion generator characterized in that the control means has a time measuring means for measuring time, and the control means switches the output voltage waveform switching means according to a predetermined time of the time measuring means. 5. An ion generator having a high voltage generating means for generating a high voltage and a discharge electrode connected to an output of the high voltage generating means for generating ions, wherein the high voltage generating means and the discharge electrode are connected to each other. An ion generator, characterized in that it has an output bias switching means which is arranged between them and which switches the bias voltage of the output of the high voltage generating means. 6. The ion generator according to claim 5, wherein
The control means for operating the output bias switching means and the sensor means connected to the control means for detecting an environmental condition, the control means controlling the output bias switching means according to the output of the sensor means. An ion generator characterized by. 7. The ion generator according to claim 6,
The sensor means is a humidity detecting means for converting the humidity of the ion generator and its surroundings into an electric signal, and the control means makes the bias zero by the output bias switching means when the output of the humidity detecting means becomes larger than a predetermined value. Ion generator characterized by switching to. 8. The ion generator according to claim 6,
The ion generator characterized in that the control means has a time measuring means for measuring time, and the control means switches the output bias switching means according to a predetermined time of the time measuring means.